I don’t believe 2021 is already halfway over! Can you? I’ve been really busy with classes, new projects, and a brand new show at City Art Gallery in San Francisco. Here’s a look at the new pieces.
My Gallery wall at City Art Gallery.
It was fun show to do with a little less Pandemic worries than my show in the fall. I definitely feel a bit lighter this time around. Things seem like they are going back to normal (well kinda…maybe …). The gallery had our first art opening since Covid-19 hit 15 months ago and I was happy to see some familiar faces and finally talk to my fellow artists and friends in person. It makes such a huge difference to really connect to people.
As for the pieces themselves, I created a small series of taxidermy-inspired pieces. I am super inspired by history, nature, and animals so what better way to pay tribute to that than taxidermy? Well, there is the death part which I’m not a huge fan of but I loved painting these creatures as if they existed in my very dark and gothic haunted house. Here they are:
Debra Styer, The Owl and the Greenman, 2021
Debra Styer, The Domed Jay, 2021
Debra Styer, Bobcat in Blue, 2021
The larger paintings were inspired by the loveliness and lightness of nature and the darkness that can follow. The Goth Girl in me went a little crazy this time but I had a wonderful time telling these little stories.
Debra Styer, Blossoms, 2021
“Blossoms” is my ode to my kitties who truly helped me through the craziness of the pandemic and life. I don’t have kids so they are indeed my furbabies.
Debra Styer, From the Underneath, 2021
“From the Underneath” was inspired by a recent camping trip where there was so much seaweed (pondweed?), that I questioned there must be something or someone hiding underneath.
Debra Styer, The Gift, 2021
This one, “The Gift”, was a a little ode to folktales and little tiny people that are found in the forest.
Debra Styer, A Gothic Tale, 2021
And this last one, “A Gothic Tale”, was my favorite to illustrate. I tend to live in a bit of a dream world and this one got a little too close for comfort. And I am sure these sweet little ravens, will do nothing but Squawk and wake up our dear reader just in time for her lovely dinner and glass of wine that’s waiting for her, right?
This world pandemic has been just so awful, but there has to be something we can find positive in all the craziness. I think it has made everyone stop and look around at their lives and really see how they have been living. I suppose this year, I was given a little gift of time with my artist self to see where I wanted to go. Although, I am still working things out, by direction feel a little more clear. Does it feel that way to you, too? I feel like the world has been shaken up and now we need to put ourselves upright again, I hope we are all able to stand up stronger, whatever we do.
